Museo Festero

Museo Festero is a museum dedicated to the Moros y Cristianos (Moors and Christians) festival tradition, located in Villena, in the province of Alicante, Valencian Community, Spain.

Where is Museo Festero located?

The museum stands on Plaza de Santiago in Villena, inside a historic building known as Casa del Festero. The building itself is a four-story 19th-century bourgeois mansion that once belonged to the Selva family. Its grand staircase, high ceilings, and period decorative details typical of that era's townhouse architecture are part of what makes a visit worthwhile even before reaching the exhibits.

What can visitors see inside?

The collection covers nearly two centuries of the Moros y Cristianos festival in Villena. On display are historical festival costumes worn by the different comparsas (parading groups), posters and pamphlets published since the 19th century, festival memorabilia, original musical scores composed for the parades, and archival photographs and video recordings from past editions. The archive also holds literary publications tied to the city's festive tradition. Together, the exhibits trace how costumes, symbolism, and the organization of the festival have evolved over the decades.

What is the history of the museum?

Museo Festero opened in 1981 and received official recognition as a museum in 1996. It was established by the community involved in organizing Villena's festival, as a place to gather and preserve the material heritage tied to the celebration — from costumes to documents and recordings.

What is the Moros y Cristianos festival in Villena?

It is an annual celebration that reenacts the historical clashes between Christian and Moorish communities on the Iberian Peninsula. In Villena, the festival has a long-standing tradition and involves numerous comparsas — groups of residents who prepare their own costumes, music, and staged performances. Museo Festero is where this living tradition meets its documented history: the exhibits show what the festival looked like decades ago while also serving as a reference point for today's organizers and participants.

Who should visit this museum?

The museum appeals to anyone wanting to understand Villena's local identity and, more broadly, the Moros y Cristianos traditions characteristic of Alicante province, where similar festivals and museums — in Alcoy, Ontinyent, and Cocentaina, among others — form a network of sites documenting this heritage. For visitors touring Villena, the museum is a natural complement to a city visit, especially if the trip doesn't coincide with the festival itself (usually held in September) but still aims to understand its history and meaning for local residents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city is Museo Festero in? The museum is located in Villena, in the province of Alicante, in Spain's Valencian Community, on Plaza de Santiago.

What is the building that houses the museum called? The building is called Casa del Festero — a four-story 19th-century townhouse that previously belonged to the Selva family.

When was the museum founded? Museo Festero opened in 1981 and was officially recognized as a museum in 1996.

What is the main focus of the exhibition? The exhibition documents nearly two centuries of Villena's Moros y Cristianos festival, including costumes, posters, musical scores, photographs, and recordings related to the celebration.